Israeli chocolate consumption low

The chocolate consumption per capita in Israel is among the lowest in the western world, totaling approximately 3 Kilograms (6.6 pounds) of chocolate per year, a market review conducted by the Credit Information Association (CIA) of the Gaon Capital Markets group revealed.

The average chocolate consumption per capita in the western world amounts to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) per year.

The CIA also revealed that 66 percent of chocolate sales in Israel are performed in the winter.

According to the market review, Israel's chocolate market is very centralized and is divided between a small number of players. The market is led by Strauss-Elite with a huge market share of more than 60 percent.

The Israeli chocolate market generates approximately NIS 1.5 billion (about USD 333 million) per year, and is divided into four main categories: Bars, snacks, spreads and boxes.

Israelis buy approximately 40 million chocolate bars for NIS 450 million (about USD 100 million) per year, while the chocolate snack market generates approximately NIS 500 million (about USD 111 million) per year.

As for spreads, Israelis use approximately 6.5 tons (13,000 pounds) of chocolate spreads per year, amounting to approximately NIS 150 million (about USD 34 million).